Chapter 40
Just as Camille was basking in her silent triumph, Stellar finally lifted her head, her bright eyes curving with an easy confidence.
“I was just considering how to phrase my response accurately,” she said calmly.
“Because, in reality, this question has two possible answers, meaning there are two correct solutions.”
A ripple of shock spread through the room.
Even the professor’s expression shifted, his interest visibly piqued.
“Miss Rivers, can you explain what the two solutions are?” he asked, leaning forward.
Without hesitation, Stellar articulated both possibilities with perfect clarity.
The professor glanced down at the answer key, then nodded in satisfaction.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Even Camille stood frozen, her face paling in disbelief.
How was this happening?!
Behind the observation monitors, Victor burst into laughter, his face beaming with pride.
“Did you see that?” he said, still grinning. “That’s my student. She never fails to exceed expectations!”
Beside him, Stephen’s expression darkened, his gaze unreadable.
Had he misjudged her?
He assumed Stellar’s so–called genius had faded over time that she was no longer the prodigy she once was.
But now, he was starting to realize that she never lost her brilliance.
By the time the exam ended, Stellar had answered the most questions correctly and secured first place.
With her top ranking in the written test as well, her selection for the research team was all but guaranteed.
Camille clenched her teeth, her face twisting in frustration
Did she really have to kneel and apologize in front of everyone?
The professor began to speak, his voice ringing through the hall.
“Let’s all congratulate Miss Rivers on earning first place
“Wait!”
A voice suddenly interrupted, cutting through the moment.
The crowd turned in surprise as Camille stepped forward, raising her hand.
“Professor, I want to report Stellar Rivers for cheating!”
Gasps rippled through the room.
“Miss Dawson, accusations like this shouldn’t be made lightly,” the professor warned cautiously.
A charge of cheating wasn’t just a minor offense–if proven true, it would completely ruin someone’s academic
12
25 BONUS
Chapter 40
career.
However, Camille stood her ground, her voice filled with righteous conviction.
“I’m not making things up. Think about it–from the very first question to the fifth, how was she able to answer instantly, almost without thinking? Unless she already knew the answers beforehand!
“She must have memorized them and rushed to hit the buzzer before anyone else could. And the moment the difficulty increased, when she couldn’t recall everything perfectly, she conveniently slowed down.”
A murmur spread through the crowd as the students exchanged glances, considering her words. “Yeah….no matter how smart someone is, they shouldn’t be able to answer that fast every single time.”
“I thought so too! It felt like she was too fast, almost unnatural.”
Many of them were silently frustrated watching Stellar buzz in first every time, convinced that if she had hesitated even for a second longer, they would have gotten the answer instead. Now that Camille planted the idea of cheating, some saw an opportunity. Even if they weren’t entirely convinced, siding against Stellar might just serve Voices of discontent grew louder, and just like that, the tide turned against her. Watching as the crowd shifted in her favor, Camille folded her arms and smirked, satisfied.
So much for making her kneel and apologize.
There was no way Stellar was that skilled–Yvonne was probably right.
Town interests.
She must have used her connections with that investor to get her hands on the test answers in advance.
Behind the surveillance monitors, Victor slammed his hand against the table, his mustache bristling in fury.
what a load of nonsense! I trained that girl myself. There’s no way in hell she cheated!”
Beside him, Stephen slowly rose from his seat, his expression unreadable.
“Lagree.”
Victor turned sharply, narrowing his eyes.
“Wait, you think she cheated too?”
His voice carried an edge, ready for a fight, assuming Stephen was still holding onto his past bias.
But to his surprise, Stephen remained calm as he stated matter–of–factly,
“I heard every one of her responses. If someone could cheat at that level, they’d have to be a genius in their own right.”
It was a clear statement of trust in Stellar Rivers.
Victor’s tense expression eased slightly, and he gave a small, approving nod.
Good.
Stephen might be arrogant, distant, and impossibly difficult to deal with, but at least he wasn’t unreasonable.
